It had been a quiet Saturday morning. The somewhat snarky nurse welcomed Sunset to the waking world with more medication and a fruit salad with a side taste of plastic, reminding her it was hospital food. It wasn’t until early afternoon a firm knock emitted from her door. The red head looked up from her drawing of Ray happily sitting on a branch.

“Come in..?” Sunset said after a moment, she assumed it was the nurse, but usually the nurse opened the door after knocking without waiting for an initiative to come in.

“Hello, Sunset Shimmer.” A confident nasally voice said.

“Trixie…hi?” Sunset said to her unexpected visitor.

“What? That surprised to be graced by a great and powerful presence?” Trixie smirked with a small chuckle as she placed her hands on her hips, “I don’t blame you.” The illusionist said, with her nose tilted up.

Sunset gave a smirk and chuckle similar to Trixie’s, “I guess you could say, I definitely wasn’t expecting you to visit. How’d you find where I am anyways?”

“Easy, I asked former ‘heroes’ and Fluttershy spilled pretty easily, though she did go on into a blabbering, crying mess. Something about it being her fault or whatever.” Trixie said with slight annoyance while making a circling hand gesture.

Sunset felt a small bubble of anger at the mention of the pastel pink haired teen.

“Well, the great and powerful Trixie can go ahead and guess you don’t want to talk about them. Which is good cause neither do I.” The pale blue girl said. “Trixie must admit… I’ve been a bit worried about you, especially after you disappeared after the whole locker incident.”

“You…were worried?”

“Uh duh, I couldn’t really get in contact with you though, not without knowing your number.” Trixie clarified.

Sunset nodded and looked to the wall guilty, “…I thought nobody cared.” The red head whispered.

“Mere banter!” Trixie exclaimed, throwing her hand in the air. “Trixie always cares for her friends.” The blue-near-white headed girl said, gaining a small smirk and planting her hands on her hips again.

“You- consider us friends?” Sunset asked.

The illusionist rolled her eyes with a playful smile, “Of course!” She said confidently, her eyes glazed to the floor and her smile retracted as the sky-blue skinned girl suddenly grew a bit insecure- not that she would admit that, great and powerful spellcasters don't falter in the face of insecurities. “Unless if you didn't, or want to be.” Trixie said with disappointment trickling in her tone.

“No- I..I think I’d like that.” Sunset said looking up at Trixie, a smile brightening her features.

“See, I knew you were smart, Shim Shim.” Trixie said and gave a quite mischievous giggle in the new found friendship.

***

The two opposite colored friends found themselves in a few hours worth of conversations. The two teens asked get-to-know questions, involving Sunset opening up and recounting her life in Equestria and Trixie telling tales of her wizardering ancestors and her own magical abilities.

“I see… so you have a human type of magic but you have to be careful with what you do because the human magic has become so dense and weak over time. That makes sense why I could never feel it.” The fiery redhead said with a hand on her chin in thought.

“Yep, the great and powerful Trixie is just that amazing!” The teen said with pride.

A knock gently evicted from the doors surface, interrupting the teens. With permission to enter, one pale pink and one evening blue woman walked into the room greeting Sunset and the unexpected guest, Trixie Lulamoon.

“Hello, Miss Lulamoon, I hadn’t realized you two are friends.” Principal Celestia said with a warm smile on her face.

“Our apologies for interrupting.” Luna said, perking up to the sight. It very much made the woman feel reassured that Sunset had someone else coming to visit her. The four girls that had been accompanying her in moving out the factory had wanted to join the two principal's visit. Neither found it to be a good idea, knowing the sensitive place the amber skinned teen is in.

“It's alright principal and vice-principal, I actually should be headed out anyways. Great and powerful teens like mhaw, have a gig to practice for.” Trixie said with a proud hand raised to her chest, the illusionist turned back to the red and gold streaked haired girl, “See you later, Shim Shim. Try not to have too much fun.” The pale blue said with a wink, as she strutted out with a wave and confident smile.

The two sisters sat on the bed both on the other side from the other. Celestia once again gave a warm smile to the teen, reminding her of the teacher she once had, as the principal asked how the teen was doing.

“Not the worst actually, I kind of made a friend yesterday.” The amber skinned teen said with a small smile and a low opacity blush surfacing on her cheeks; in which didn't go unnoticed by the sisters.

“That's wonderful to hear, Sunset. It means so much to see you feeling comfortable here.” Luna said with a kind smile.

“Thank you. I appreciate what you guys have done for me. It's the most I’ve ever received in my life. I kinda don't know how to handle it.” The fiery haired girl said looking off, getting lost in thought and memories.

“Don’t thank us. Not only is it our job but also our pleasure.” Celestia said warmly.

Sunset could feel tears brimming in her eyes. Never in her home world or in this world, till now, had any pony or one said they actually wanted to care for her. Sure, Princess Celestia took her in, being a part of raising her- giving her great birthdays, magic lessons. The princess went as far to be by her side when sick and made her fun and extravagant pancake breakfast every morning; with that in the end Sunset had been proven the princess only saw her as a student, a pony residing in the castle- never a filly, never a… daughter.

Sunset felt a hand begin to rub circles into her back.

“It’s okay, we're here for you now. I promise everything will be okay.” Luna said, comforting the teen who’s silent cry strengthened. It didn’t take long for the teen to settle down with the woman giving positive affirmations and reassuring words.

As time went by the woman explained to Sunset how her missing work would be an excuse; in which Sunset gave small opposition to. The fiery haired girl had always loved to learn, whether it be magic formula’s or the trigonometry ones, even writing essays and discovering science, she found to be enjoyable- learning human history had always been a weak point though. The morbid wars, ways of the past and many, many different dates, she found got easily lost from her head. The two principles of the high school had promised the girl a text book and a few worksheets to work on to help satisfy the naturally in-need-of-knowledge teen, they also it might help pass her time while in the facility.

***

The two sisters had stayed long enough with the former unicorn till visiting hours had ended, making goodbyes and promises for another visit tomorrow, Sunset realized she had spent the majority of the day with others. It gave her that warm tingly feeling of companionship she had gone without for a month. The amber teen spent the rest of her Saturday night drawing her Ray that she dearly missed, maybe she would ask her next visitor to check on the gecko for her.

Suddenly a leather bound book, one of the few items Sunset had been allowed to bring with her-much to Princess Twilight’s pleasure, began to shine a bright magenta, 'Jeez, nearly everybody just wants to talk to me today.' The warm paletted teen thought while grabbing the journal.

“Dear Sunset Shimmer,
How are you doing? I'm sure you've heard that question a lot recently but I am too curious. Princess Celestia has been asking too actually. I hadn't exactly told her all the details of what happened, only that you were in trouble and needed a large amount of assistance. I hadn't found it my place to let her know what really happened, but if I must be honest, I think she already knows. She just had that look in her eye, you know, the one where you tell her something but she already knows what you're about to tell her. Anyways, I'm rambling. I apologize for not getting to visit you yet, I hope I will find the time soon. So, please tell me how things are going, how you're settling into that place?
Your friend, Twilight Sparkle.”

Sunset’s thoughts were focused on the mention of Princess Celestia. How Princess Twilight said the solar goddess was asking, worried about her. How Princess Twilight gave her theory that Celestia somehow knew what Sunset was going through. Had it really been Princess Celestia in that blue and sparkling white void? Had the sun goddess really reached out to her in her dying moments? Sunset supposed she would find out.

“Hey Princess Twilight,
Thanks for checking up on me, you don't have to worry. No hard feelings, I know you have a lot of your own duties in Equestria, talking through the journal is enough for me. I settled in just fine, I’ve mostly been reading and working on art, both of which have been great to get back into. I have professional help to work with me- help me understand my emotions. I won't lie, it's a bit weird, I'm not used to such things, though I suppose that might be the point. You can let Princess Celestia know that I'm okay and things are getting better. I kind of have to admit, I'm surprised she asked, we didn't leave on a good note. How’s Equestria, anyways?
Sunset Shimmer.”

Sunset laid back against her pillows for a moment, feeling her tired mind starting to catch up with her, sleeping for ten days straight seemed like the only cure.When her eyes slipped shut she felt the book come alive with a buzz.

“That's wonderful to hear! If you run out of anything to read i'll be glad to bring you some of my favorites! Also, of course Princess Celestia cares! Yes, things might be a bit awkward right now because of the past but seeing as you’ve worked hard to change and become a better pony, I'm sure the princess doesn't hold it against you. Things are still good in Equestria, Fluttershy and I actually were called by the cutie maps a couple of days ago! We helped these two families resolve their past issues and learn to help each other thrive, it was so fun, oh, I can even write an analysis paper about it! I’d love for you to visit Equestria next time you can, maybe you and Princess Celestia can resolve things and we can do things here!”

The tired redhead thought for a moment. She couldn't help but feel another spike of anger at the pastel yellow skinned girl's name. Sunset could very much understand though that pony Fluttershy and human Fluttershy are two different individuals, that being said the amber teen wasn't ready to even think of forgiving Fluttershy, let alone being around her or some pony who looks like her. At a certain degree she can find it in her to forgive the others, not by a lot but enough to not feel the impulse to cuss them out with a good punch at the end. Her feeling towards the animal caretaker were still a large bright fire that might never die out. The shy teen took her Ray away after all, after she trusted the teen enough to bring her in her home, only to be met with cruelty after some dumb online post. Sunset might have been a bully at one point but she would never have stooped so low.

Sunset thought about resolving her relationship with the princess she once loved and adored, plus it would be great to gallop and use magic again. Sunset remembered how running through the unicorn range would always help her anger.

“Visiting Equestria actually sounds great, I have missed it. We’ll have to plan that out. Also congrats on your friendship mission, i’m glad it worked out. I’m going to be honest though, I'm pretty tired, so I'm calling it a night. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Princess.”

Sunset got tucked into her bed waiting for the final reply from the princess.

“Understandable! Have a good night, I'll see if Princess Luna can watch over your dreams and help those nightmares, though I'm not sure if her magic is multidimensional. Anyways we'll find out. Oh, and Sunset, when you need someone to talk to, whether it's for company or to vent, I'm always here, please, don't shut me out and ignore me again.
Your Friend, Twilight.”

Sunset wore a guilty look on her face reading the end of the princesses message.

‘I’ll try, Twi, I'll try.’

***

“Sunset…” a deep wicked voice spoke, “Look at where you’ve ended up, how pathetic you've become. You've allowed yourself to go from the top Queen B to pathetic suicidal worm trapped in a house of crazy people. Celestia was right to abandon you.”

Sunset’s eyes snapped open seeing nothing but a blood crimson void, surrounded by wild blazing fire. The amber teen looked around, searching for anything other than red and orange fire, behind her sat a bathtub overflowing with thick bright red blood. Fear filled her as she walked toward the tub, being met with the sight of nothing but a pool of her own blood with red and gold locks of hair sticking through the morbid liquid.

The redhead started to back away, feeling fear, shame and guilt consume her. Suddenly wind struck her from behind, a strong gust that knocked her on all fours. The ground rickashaied under her as strong forces hit the neither red floor. Sunset didn't even need to look behind her to know what it was, her she-demon. A sharp heel stomped on her back.
The demon lowered to Sunsets ear as the teen was pinned to the ground. The amber girl shook in fear, feeling the wicked beast's breath and evil smile on her neck. “You couldn't succeed in being a good student. You couldn't succeed in becoming a princess. You couldn't succeed in being loved. You couldn't even succeed in dying. Everyone betrayed you, sooner or later. You can't trust anyone. You will always be alone.” The crimson demon said with evil scratching her voice, the red and gold haired teen felt tears fall down her cheeks, she agreed with her demon, nothing had yet to prove her wrong. The bat winged demon let out loud long laughter, while the teen continued to lay on the ground, accepting her silent tears.

Amber eyelids fluttered awake, being met with a bright blue sky, the teen turned over to avoid the sun's glare forcing her to wake up. After the nightmare the teen had, she gained a powerful pounding headache and the answer of the Princess of the moon's dimensional restricted magic.

The exhausted teen looked over at the digital clock sitting on her nightstand, 1:25 pm. Sunset tucked further into her sheets, the teen felt regret for being found that night. Her thoughts lead to her recent need for external pain in an attempt to gain control over the internal pain. A large part of her wished the girls and principals had just left her.

The former unicorn wasn't sure how much time passed as a knock emitted from her door.

“Hello Sunset!” a chipper familiar voice sang.

The amber teen moved her eyes to the direction of the voice, she saw a lavender skinned, indigo hair, tied in a high ponytail, girl. The nerdy teen wore a dark purple converse with brown knee high socks that adored navy blue diamond shaped running the length of the socks; in which matched her dark purple mid thigh three layered ruffled skirt, topped with a brown cropped, just above the skirt, knitted sweater, with the sleeves rolled up her elbows.

“I brought you some food, the nurse said you weren't awake yet each time she checked on you…” the human Twilight said, trailing off as she got a better look at the redhead, “...I must admit, you don't look well, what’s going on?”

Sunset sat up, “Nothing, what are you doing here on a sunday? Shouldn’t you be doing weekend teenager things?”

Twilight scoffed, “If by ‘weekend teenager things’ you mean reading or working on one of my experiments or inventions then you’d be correct. Usually I do stay home, but my father said he wanted to drop by for a bit, something about getting things prepared for tomorrow.” The indigo haired girl explained coming up to a chair on the side of the hard medical bed. “Besides… I-I wanted to see you.”

“Why?”

Twilight looked up, into the turquoise eyes the amber girl bared, the lavender teen could see the genuine wonder, caution and pain held in her eyes. Twilight gave a friendly smile and adjusted her glasses, “Because I consider us friends, I know it’s only our second meeting, but sometimes that's all a person needs to start caring, and I do.”

Sunset looked down to her lap, observing her bandaged arms, “Even though I’m crazy? I haven't always been a good person… tartarus, i’m still not. I've done really terrible things to others, and I’ve only gotten back what I deserve.” The redhead felt the need to cry but nothing came, she simply didn't have the energy, “Trust me, sparkes, I’m a crazy monster that you don't want to get involved with.”

“First thing, stop calling yourself crazy or a monster, it's not healthy. Second, everyone has made mistakes, and if you ask me, someone who can acknowledge that and makes the effort to change, is a good person.” The lavender girls with glasses said, making eye contact with the teen in the bed.

“I thought everyone had forgiven me, I thought I had forgiven myself, but recently the nightmares and terrible thoughts won't stop. It doesn't help that everyone I learned to love betrayed and hated me in the end. I'm gonna be honest sparkes, I'm scared to make friends again, look at where it got me.” Sunset said, raising her healing arms in the arm during the last sentence of her short monologue.

The pony princess counterpart stood up and sat on the bed, placing a hand on the other girl's hand, helping it rest in the amber skinned girl's lap. “I completely understand being scared and cautious, especially after something traumatic transpires. That being said, I promise things will not always be that way.”

The two teens looked into each other's eyes, Sunset studied the girl with adorned glasses. The red and gold haired girl couldn't help but notice the beauty of this human counterpart. Sure, Princess Twilight was attractive but in more of a conventional sense, as Sunset was sure her pony form was too. This Twilight was different, from the way her glasses sat perfectly on her perfect nose to the dimples in her cheeks that made her smile brighter and cuter. The redhead had only found a few humans attractive, Flash Sentry being one of them, but nothing ever this strong. The two soon realized how they had been staring for too long.

Twilight took in a deep breath as a blush began to form, “How about I read to you and you eat some of your food, I know you haven't eaten.”

Sunset smiled for the first time that day, “That sounds really nice, sparkes.”

As the girls settled, they returned to their previous reading share positions along with Sunset munching on her vegetable salad, accompanied with water and her required mood stabilizers, in which she hadn't realized was there until Twilight pointed them out.

As an hour flew by with three chapters deeper into the book, the bookworm finally looked up to her reading companion. Twilight was met with the sight of her golden hour colored friend sleeping with a peaceful look on her face.

Twilight smiled and closed the book, placing it back on the nightstand, just as she received a message from her father. The lavender-skinned teen looked down to her new crush, she couldn't help but wonder what could have happened to her. What events had led to the teen to fall into such a terrible way of thinking? How terrible did people treat her that led to her taking the near fatal course of action?

Leaning down, purple lips met a golden rod skinned temple, “Sweet dreams, Sunnybun.”

Author's Note

Hi Hi!
I hope you enjoyed the new chapter, I had fun writing it :D

As always beautiful people, comment and interact <3